Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the
risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Disdaining enemy hand
grenades and close-range machine pistol, machinegun, and rifle, Lt. Britt
inspired and led a handful of his men in repelling a bitter counterattack
by approximately 100 Germans against his company positions north of Mignano,
Italy, the morning of 10 November 1943. During the intense fire fight,
Lt. Britt's canteen and field glasses were shattered; a bullet pierced
his side; his chest, face, and hands were covered with grenade wounds.
Despite his wounds, for which he refused to accept medical attention until
ordered to do so by his battalion commander following the battle, he personally
killed 5 and wounded an unknown number of Germans, wiped out one enemy
machinegun crew, fired 5 clips of carbine and an undetermined amount of
Ml rifle ammunition, and threw 32 fragmentation grenades. His bold, aggressive
actions, utterly disregarding superior enemy numbers, resulted in capture
of 4 Germans, 2 of them wounded, and enabled several captured Americans
to escape. Lt. Britt's undaunted courage and prowess in arms were largely
responsible for repulsing a German counterattack which, if successful,
would have isolated his battalion and destroyed his company.

This data was extracted from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. Senate, Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1973 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1973)